In Reply to: Travelling right around Bali posted by bluey on Sunday, 3. September 2006 at 18:04 Bali Time:
In 1991 and 1998. Both times we hired a car/jeep and drove ourselves for 3 - 3 and a half weeks. Was the best experience ever!!!
At that stage I had no knowledge of computers (probably just as well in a way as if i had read about all the warnings and inherent dangers i probably never would have done it).
Guess we were fortunate ... sure - had some 'nasties' ... got booked once by the police, were intimidated at another place where 'stand-over' locals washed our car without asking and then demanded an exorbitant fee for their 'service' that we felt we had to pay as we feared our hire car would be otherwise damaged.
In the wet, I seriously feared of sliding off some of those mountainous roads.
But all in all, I wouldn't trade our experience for anything. At the same time, knowing what I know now, through the wealth of information on this great forum, I wouldn't recommended taking the chance we unknowingly did.
Just had the Lonely Planet guide book as a reerence and went virtually everywhere that was in it.
Some places, we formed short friendships with locals, who we then did a trade with and paid them, what made them happy and at the same time to us was a relatively a small amount ... for them to show us their favourite local spots (with them happily chatting away ... that was unreal!).
We travelled virtually every road, up, down, through and through. (except to the western sector ... as via the 'book' ... didn't seem much that held our interest at that stage).
My few pointers would be firstly, to just do it!:) Secondly (after learning from this forum), not to drive yourself as apparently, you can hire a car (through recommendation) with a knowledgeable, safe driver, for virtually the same price.
And last but not least, (unlike me) take note and remember where you have been, what was good, what was not ... so as to give some pointers for us all please:)
Lastly, forgive my ramblings and exuberance ... but your question has (once again caused me to drag out my LP guide to try and remember where I went) and at the same time 'triggered' and brought back such good memories!
So thanks for that!:)